The 'welcoming' Chinese restaurant voted the best in Essex
Chinese New Year is often a popular time for people to swarm to takeaways and restaurants and indulge themselves in the cuisine. So, to celebrate this, we've been on the hunt for Essex's best establishment.
Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year, starts on the first day of the first lunar month and concludes with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. This year it takes place today, on January 29.
We asked our readers at the start of the month to nominate their favourite Chinese takeaways and restaurants. We then whittled down the hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of just three.
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The Essex restaurant that came out on top, however, was AKA Restaurant & Lounge in Witham. The eatery is an authentic Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of Witham.
With fantastic vegan options and a 'bottomless' drinks option, it caters towards a wide variety of people. Readers credited the restaurant with its "delicious" meals and "welcoming atmosphere."
We spoke to the founder of AKA, Alex Lai, to discuss the restaurant and being named the best in the county. Alex said: "We are absolutely over the moon to have been voted as one of the best restaurants in Essex!
"It’s such an incredible honour, and we’re so grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for us. This recognition means so much to our team and is a true testament to the love and support of our amazing customers."
AKA first opened its doors in 2020 and was the vision of founder, Alex Lai. The idea was born from a deep passion for sharing authentic Asian cuisine with the local community and creating a welcoming space where people could come together, enjoy delicious food, and experience a slice of traditional Asian culture.
Since opening, AKA's mission has always been to serve fresh, flavourful dishes while building meaningful connections with customers. And this does indeed seem to be the case, as it has received dozens of five star reviews on Google, with many complimenting the fresh dishes.
Alex then said: "One of my personal favourites is our chilli and pepper ribs and the all-time classic sweet and sour chicken – these dishes perfectly capture the heart of AKA, with their bold flavours and fresh ingredients.
"As for our most popular dish, customers absolutely love our new Sambai Fried Rice. It’s quickly become a signature item since we launched it last month, and it’s a must-try for anyone visiting us for the first time!"
Alex then shared his gratitude to his voters. Alex added: "To our amazing regulars, we just want to say a huge thank you! Your ongoing support, loyalty, and encouragement mean the world to us.
"You’re the reason we do what we do, and this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without you. We’re truly grateful for your votes, kind words, and love for AKA."